**Summary:**
In response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1021, dated 25072025, regarding the promotion of international tourism, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) acknowledges India's significant potential in this sector for economic growth, employment generation, and enhanced global positioning. While the Ministry of Tourism is the nodal agency, the MEA actively contributes through its network of Indian Missions and Posts abroad. Key measures include supporting participation in overseas tourism trade fairs and exhibitions, organizing tourism roadshows, engaging with local tour operators and stakeholders, facilitating B2B meetings and familiarization trips, and implementing India-focused publicity campaigns, including through social media. Furthermore, the government has focused on improving international air connectivity through bilateral agreements supporting direct flights to increase foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs). The Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs, Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh, provided this information. Smt. Rachna Banerjee raised the question.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of External Affairs: A ministry of the Government of India responsible for the country's foreign relations.
SMT. RACHNA BANERJEE: A member of Lok Sabha who posed the question about promotion of international tourism.
SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH: The Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs who provided the answer to the question.
Ministry of Tourism: The nodal agency for tourism promotion and development in India.
India: The country being promoted as a tourist destination.
Indian Missions and Posts abroad: Representations of the Indian government in foreign countries, used for promotion of tourism.
Tourism Roadshows: Events organized to promote tourism in India.
FAM trips: Familiarization trips organized for tour operators and other industry stakeholders.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 1021
ANSWERED ON - 25/07/2025
PROMOTION OF INTERNATIONAL TOURISM
1021. SMT. RACHNA BANERJEE
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has adequately leveraged India's
substantial potential for international tourism; and
(b) if so, the concrete measures in place, or planned, to further
capitalize on this for economic growth and global positioning?
1ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH )
(a) & (b). The Government of India acknowledges the potential of
international tourism as a contributor to economic growth,
employment generation, and enhancing India’s global profile. While
the Ministry of Tourism is the nodal agency for tourism promotion
and development, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) plays a
proactive role through its network of Indian Missions and Posts
abroad, for promotion of India as a tourist destination in key
international markets. These include supporting participation of
Central and State Governments, tourism boards, and industry
stakeholders in major overseas tourism trade fairs and exhibitions;
organisation of Tourism Roadshows; engagements with local tour
operators and other industry stakeholders; organisation of B2B
meetings & familiarization (FAM) trips; and India tourism publicity
campaigns, including through the social media. International air
connectivity has improved through bilateral arrangements for direct
flights that support foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs).
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